ABSTRACT
Although they were both concerned with devolution, the contexts of the 1997 referendums in Scotland and Wales were significantly different. In particular Scottish national identity is stronger and more widespread than is Welsh identity and the desire for constitutional change has been weaker in Wales than in Scotland. The narrow victory for devolution in Wales contrasted sharply with the decisive result in Scotland. Analysis of survey xvidata shows that in Scotland voters’ sense of partisan and national identity largely explain voting patterns and the large ‘Yes’ majority. In Wales, on the other hand, while party was significant, sense of national identity did not affect voting very strongly.
